Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) is one of the best decisions a busy Singapore family can make — but if it’s your first time, the process can feel overwhelming.
This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know, from MOM eligibility to your helper’s first week at home.
Step 1: Check If You Are Eligible to Hire an FDW
Before anything else, confirm you meet the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requirements.
You must be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or an Employment Pass / S Pass holder. You must also be able to provide your helper with a place to stay, a rest day each week (or compensation in lieu), food, and proper medical care.
First-time employers must also complete the Employer’s Orientation Programme (EOP) — a mandatory online course (about 2 hours) available via SingPass at a cost of $35.65 onwards. Complete this before your helper’s application process.
Step 2: Decide Which Type of Helper Is Right for Your Family
This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — it affects cost, waiting time, and fit.
Unlike many agencies, Unistarr offers six types of helpers, giving you far more choice to find exactly the right match.
New helper (fresh from overseas): Lower salary, easier to train to your household’s specific routines. Waiting time is typically 4–8 weeks. Ideal for families who want to establish their own way of doing things from day one.
Transfer helper (already in Singapore): Currently employed in Singapore and seeking a new placement. Available relatively quickly — face-to-face interviews are possible at our Bukit Timah or Katong offices. She understands Singapore household expectations and can often start within 1–2 weeks.
ExSG — Experienced in Singapore: Has completed a previous Singapore employment contract and is ready for a fresh start. Fully familiar with local food, appliances, culture, and household standards — without the complications that can sometimes come with a transfer. Often the strongest choice for families who want proven Singapore experience with a clean slate.
ExMalaysia — Experienced in Malaysia: Has worked in Malaysia and is familiar with a household environment very similar to Singapore’s — similar food, similar appliances, similar culture. Typically adapts to Singapore homes faster than a completely fresh helper. A practical and often overlooked option for families who want experience without the premium of a Singapore-experienced helper.
ExMiddleEast — Experienced in the Middle East: Has worked in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, or Kuwait. Typically experienced in larger households, long working hours, and a wide range of household tasks. Often hardworking and accustomed to high employer expectations. A good fit for larger families or households with more demanding requirements.
Experienced overseas (other countries): Has worked abroad in countries such as Hong Kong or Taiwan. A Hong Kong-experienced helper often speaks Cantonese; a Taiwan-experienced one may speak Mandarin — particularly useful for multilingual or dialect-speaking households.
At Unistarr, we offer all six types across Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Manipur, and Mizoram — with over 200 helpers available at any time. Share your household requirements with us and we will shortlist the 5–10 best-matched profiles for you, completely free of charge.
Step 3: Choose a Licensed MOM Agency
Not all maid agencies are equal. With over 1,000 licensed agencies in Singapore, the difference in service quality is enormous.
Here is what to look for:
- MOM licence — verify on the MOM website. Unistarr’s licence number is 15C7448.
- In-house training — does the agency train helpers themselves, or just forward CVs? At Unistarr, every helper trains at our Singapore lodging before placement — cooking local dishes, infant care, eldercare, household appliances, and basic English.
- Replacement policy — how long is it, and are there agency fees? Unistarr offers a 12-month free replacement guarantee with zero agency fees.
- Post-placement support — what happens after your helper arrives? At Unistarr, every employer receives 2-year WhatsApp support for the full duration of the contract.
- Track record — check MOM’s retention rate data. Unistarr has one of the highest retention rates in Singapore and a near-0% transfer rate over 10 years of operation.
Step 4: Shortlist and Interview Helpers
Once you’ve chosen an agency, share your household requirements — family size, ages of children or elderly, cooking preferences, specific skills needed. A good agency does the pre-screening for you.
At Unistarr, we send you the 5–10 best-matched profiles from our pool of 500+ helpers free of charge.
You only pay when you confirm your choice.
For transfer helpers, face-to-face interviews are conducted at our Bukit Timah or Katong offices. For new overseas helpers, video interviews are arranged at a time convenient for you — no need to visit the office until your helper arrives.
Key questions to ask in your interview:
- Have you cared for a newborn / elderly person before?
- Can you cook [specific cuisine]?
- What was your previous employer’s household like?
- Why are you looking for a new placement?
Step 5: Work Permit, Insurance, and Security Bond
Once you’ve confirmed your helper, your agency handles most of the paperwork. Here is what is involved:
- Work Permit application: $35 to apply + $35 when issued.
- Security bond: A $5,000 government bond (non-Malaysian helpers) — arranged through an insurance policy.
- Maid insurance: Mandatory. Covers hospitalisation, personal accident, and repatriation. Expect to pay $500–$750 for a 2-year plan.
- Settling-In Programme (SIP): Mandatory for the full work permit period. Covers hospitalisation, personal accident, and repatriation. Typically $500–$750 for a 2-year plan.
- Monthly FDW levy: Paid to MOM every month — $300 standard rate, or $60 concessionary rate if you have a child under 16, a senior citizen aged 67 and above, or a family member with disabilities.
Unistarr handles all paperwork on your behalf so you only need to come in when your helper arrives.
Step 6: What Unistarr’s Package Includes — We Handle Everything
Most agencies stop at placement. Unistarr manages the entire journey from your helper’s home country to your front door — all included in the package fee:
- Briefing in source country: Helpers are briefed and Job Orders are signed in their home country before the application process begins — expectations are clear from day one
- Employment contract: Prepared and signed before deployment, covering job scope, salary, rest days, and terms for both parties
- Medical examination: Pre-employment medical check arranged and included
- Thumbprint appointment: Biometric registration arranged by Unistarr as part of the process
- Airport pickup to lodging: On arrival at Changi, your helper is fetched and transported directly to Unistarr’s Singapore lodging
- In-house training in Singapore: Our in-house trainer covers local cooking, infant care, eldercare, appliances, and basic English — tailored to Singapore households
- All admin handled: IPA, work permit, insurance, security bond, and SIP booking — managed by our team
By the time your helper walks through your door, she is medically cleared, legally contracted, fully briefed, trained in Singapore, and ready to start. That is the Unistarr difference — and why our transfer rate is close to 0%.
Step 7: Prepare Your Home Before She Arrives
A smooth first week makes all the difference for long-term retention. Here is a simple checklist:
- Prepare her room with a bed, storage space, and a working fan or air-conditioning
- Walk her through your home — where things are kept, how appliances work
- Go through your household routines together on day one — meal times, cleaning schedule, children’s schedules
- Set clear expectations on rest days, phone use, and house rules early
- Keep the lines of communication open — a helper who feels respected stays longer
Because every Unistarr helper trains at our Singapore lodging before placement — including hands-on practice with local appliances, cooking, and caregiving — your settling-in period is noticeably smoother. That is a large part of why our transfer rate is close to 0%.
Step 8: Know Your Ongoing Responsibilities as an Employer
Once your helper starts work, MOM requires you to:
- Pay her salary on time every month
- Provide one rest day per week (or pay one day’s salary in lieu)
- Ensure 6-monthly medical check-ups
- Maintain valid insurance for the full work permit duration
- Update MOM on any changes to employment
Unistarr’s 2-year WhatsApp support means you are never handling issues alone. Whether it is a communication problem, a skills gap, or an administrative question, our team is available throughout your helper’s entire contract — not just in the first week.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Maid in Singapore in 2026?
Here is a realistic total cost estimate for year one:
| Cost item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Agency fee | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Work permit (apply + issue) | $70 |
| Security bond insurance | Part of Insurance |
| Maid insurance (2 years) | $500 – $750 |
| SIP (first-time FDWs) | $76.40 |
| Monthly levy (standard) | $300/month |
| Monthly salary | $600 – $800/month |
Unistarr offers interest instalment plan — splitting the upfront costs into manageable monthly payments so the initial outlay does not hit all at once.
Why Families Choose Unistarr
In a market with over 1,000 licensed agencies, here is what sets Unistarr apart after 10 years in the industry:
- 6 helper types across 5 nationalities — new, transfer, ExSG, ExMalaysia, ExMiddleEast, and experienced overseas, sourced from Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Manipur, and Mizoram
- In-house training centre in Singapore — your helper practises real SG cooking, infant care, eldercare, and appliances before she arrives at your home
- 12-month free replacement guarantee — if it is not the right fit, we find you a new helper with zero agency fees
- 2-year WhatsApp support — we stay with you for the full contract, not just placement day
- ~0% transfer rate — because we match carefully and train thoroughly
- Accreditated by the Indonesian & Philippines Embassy
- MOM licence 15C7448 · Bukit Timah & Katong · Open 7 days (Closed during Public Holidays)
Ready to Find Your Perfect Helper?
Whether you are hiring for the first time or looking for a better experience after a mismatch elsewhere, Unistarr is here to help.
WhatsApp us today — we will send you the top 5 matched profiles within 24 hours, completely free.
📍 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road #03-46
📍 Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Road #01-84
🌐 www.unistarr.com.sg
